Tensions in the Middle East soared on Friday after Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps confirmed the death of its top commander, Hossein Salami, in what state media described as a deadly Israeli strike on its Tehran headquarters. Several children were also reported killed in the attack on a residential area in the Iranian capital.
In a video message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of a wide-ranging military campaign, stating, “We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history. Moments ago Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the attack in a statement, saying Israel had “unleashed its wicked and bloody” hand and warning it would receive “a bitter fate for itself.”
An Israeli military official said that dozens of Iranian nuclear and military targets were being struck, including the sensitive nuclear facility at Natanz. The official added that Iran had amassed enough enriched uranium to produce 15 nuclear bombs within days, though the claim could not be independently verified.
The United States denied any involvement in the strikes. However, Axios reported that Israel’s Mossad agency was leading covert sabotage operations inside Iran, targeting missile sites and air defense systems. Iranian state media reported that two prominent nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, were killed in the strikes on Tehran.
In anticipation of retaliation, Israel closed Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport and placed its air defense systems on high alert. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated, “Following the pre-emptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate time frame.”
Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir confirmed tens of thousands of troops had been mobilized, calling the operation “a historic campaign unlike any other.” He emphasized, “This is a critical operation to prevent an existential threat, by an enemy who is intent on destroying us.”
According to the Israeli foreign ministry, Israeli Minister Gideon Saar held a “marathon of calls” with foreign counterparts as part of diplomatic efforts.
In Washington, President Donald Trump distanced the U.S. from the operation in an interview with Fox News, saying, “We will see,” when asked about the situation. He added that Iran must not obtain a nuclear bomb and expressed hope to resume negotiations. The White House confirmed that Trump would convene the National Security Council on Friday morning.
Despite U.S. efforts to remain neutral, a senior Israeli official told broadcaster Kan that Israel had coordinated the strike with Washington. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied this, stating, “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.” He warned, “Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”
The U.S. State Department issued an advisory urging all American government employees and their families in Israel to shelter in place.
Global financial markets reacted swiftly, with Asian stocks tumbling, oil prices spiking, and investors shifting to safe-haven assets like gold and the Swiss franc.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for restraint. “The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford,” said deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.
The Israeli offensive comes just days ahead of a planned sixth round of nuclear talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Oman. U.S. officials indicated that the negotiations were still expected to proceed despite the military escalation.
The Israeli military claimed that the operation was triggered by fresh intelligence indicating Iran was nearing the completion of a nuclear weapon. “In recent months, this program has accelerated significantly, bringing the regime significantly closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon,” it said.
However, a source familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments said there had been no change in Washington’s view that Iran was not currently building a nuclear bomb. The source noted that Supreme Leader Khamenei had not authorized a restart of the nuclear weapons program shut down in 2003.
